Illuminator for license plates



sept. 1, 1931. s. CACCAMO 1,821,420

ILLUMINATOR FOR LICENSE PLATES Filed OGll.. 20, 1950 2 Sheets-S1168?. l

11i/EQ nuenlor Jam wel ,dfmmq A Ilorney Sept. l, S. CACCAMO ILLUMINATQR FOR'LIGENSE PLATES Filed Oct. 20, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Allorney Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNrrEn STATES SAMUEL CACCAMO, OF SAN' JOSE, CALIFORNIA ILLUMINATOR FOR LICENSE PLATES n Application filed October 20, 1930. Serial No. 489,989.

This invention relates generallyl to electrically illuminated signs and signals, and particularly to an illuminator for license plate, for automobiles and like vehicles,

' though the application of the device is not necessarily confined to mounting upon automobiles and similar vehicles, but may be p also employed on boats, or wherever it is required to plainly ,display at night or dark l0 places, information of the general kind disclosed by the license plate. K

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of this kind which possesses new and novel features Which render it conven-v ient and attractive, easily installed, and

which is cheap and simple and easy to manufacture, and has other advantages and purposes, which will be more fully understood as this specification proceeds.

These and other objects, the nature of the invention, and combination of parts will be readily understood by any one acquainted with the art to which this invention relates upon consulting the following description and drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my improved illuminator for license plates.

Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Fi g. 3 is an end view thereof.

Fig. l is a longitudinal section through the illuminator.

Fig. 5 is a view of the front of Fig. 1 with the license plate removed to disclose the interior arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a vert-ical transverse section through my improved illuminator in detail, and the disposition and arrangement of parts constituting the same.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the construction, of the lugs formed on the exterior members of the illuminator.

lt is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of this invention to the particular modification set up herein to illustrate the principles thereof, and any change or changes may be made in material or structure and rearrangement of parts consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention.

its composition and arrangement -opening 9 ofthe size of the license plate.

Referring in detail to the drawings, it will be observed that the numeral 5 generally designates the illuminator, the numeral 6 refers' to the perforated or stencilled license plate, having the cutaway numerals 7, which may be formed to serve thev same urpose, that is permitting the' passageof theV light, in any suitable manner. Thelicense plate may be of metal, or of any suitable substance, such as non-transparentzo glass, fibre, or similar material, as my invention is not limited to the character 'of the material used. The only requirement is that the light coming from the source of illumination, within the illuminator will bei G5 capable of throwing the numerals into such relief or distinction from the body of the license plate, as to be readily discernible at night, or in dark places, and under other conditions. f

The illuminator consists of an elongated housing 8 providing a rectangular yfront It will be observed by referring to Figs. 2, 3, and 6, that the casing 8 is formed of a rear 75 yWall v10 of straight uniform construction, and the side Walls are gradually Vcurved and gradually 'thickened'as 'at 11, and the'thickened portion of the side walls is presented to the front side of the casing.M Thesaid cas-80 ing may be formed or constructed ofv any suitable material, a preferable form 'being illustrated and' constructed of metal and cast in suitable dimensions.

Referring to the cross sectional views of85 the drawings, it will be' observed that a` Yrabbet 12 is cut in the inward disposed for- Ward edge portion of the side walls vof the casing and the said rabbet forms a seat and shoulder 13 i which runs completely aboutgO the said edge of the casing. It will beobserved in the sectionalviews of the drawings that outward from the said shoulder and formed in the said edge of the casing, is formed av depression 14, which eXtendsf completely about kthesaid edge of the 'casing and parallel with thesaid shoulder 13. M

Aprojection 15 is formed to project forward-of ytheedge of the casing andouty wardly, and has-a backwardly slanting`porframe 21Vwhi'ch is made inequal tion 16 which merges into the thickened portion of the side walls of the casing.

As seen in Figs. 4 and 6, a resilient packing 1'? is disposed to rest upon the seat 12 and to run completely about the rabbet. Closing the forward opening of the casing 8 is a sheet oftranslucent or transparent material 18, whose edges are formed to register in the said slot-12 upon the packing material 17 and against the shoulder 13, the said material 18 and the'packing'17`bleing' of such thickness, tiat the one superposed on the other, comes to a thickness approximately equal to the depth of thel shoulder 13. A'

,license plate having the perforations, or transparencies?, and having its edges waved as at 20 to conform with the shape and contour or" the channel 14, is disposed tightly against the translucent or transparent mem ber 1,8. To hold the license plate -19 Vagainst the translucent member 18, and toy main- Vtain: these together, and against the packing 1.7, and the three inv proper association withv the casing 8, there is provided a channelled halves. At the terminal of eachsicre of each half there is provided' a lug 22 having screw 'threaded hole 23 for receiving a bolt 24, 'for bringing the lugs together, to clampv the kmember21 upon the casing. rlhe channel 'member 211 has the cross section` as shown in Fig. 4, of U-'shaped formation having one leg ot the U somewhat longer-than the other, to* extend; from its middle portion to be arranged against the portion 16 rearwardly of the edge of the casing 8.

The long leg of the member 21 is disposed across the forward-edge of the casing- 8 or rather across, but spaced from said` edge, and including behind it and the licensel plate edge. the edges of the translucent member 1f8. The short leg is disposedv to contact the portion 16 and projection 15 andt-o engage inthis wayfor retaining the edges of the license plate and the translucent member behind it, and properly position them inv the opening of the casing 8.

It is obvious from the drawings that it vwould not bea Ydeparture from the invention tospecify that the lower halfr ot the member 21 be formed stationary' with or secured to the'casing 8, or that the engageablehalves may be made Vcompletely re- I movable. Thusthe channel members 21 are lifted downwardly: and upwardly respectively andthe license plateY and the translucent member ll'ieldv in the forward open- V ing of the: casing 8, and the two halves fastened together by the screws 24.

" Within the casing 8 thereis formed a p structure for a'pair of electricv bulbs 25; It

is obvious from'. F ig, 5 thatthe forward face of the member 21 can be given any suitable described ,comprising a narrow elongated casing having rounded side walls merging into a rectangular portion delining a rectangular opening rextending the greatest length and width of the casing, and provided interiorly with electric lighting means, a

translucent sheet closing saidY opening, and' license platev having a corrugatron',formed just within: its edges, the' license plate disposed against the sheet; and having its corrugations, disposed. beyondk allsides of the vsheet and seated: a groove inthe'rect-angu-f lar porton, and a channelled frame for griping the outer edge of sai-d rectangular portion andv the edge: portion of the license plate, for clamping the same in position on the casing, said license platev being provided'l with indicia responsive to the said lighting means, said frame providedY with means to removably clampv'the samein. position on the casing. Y

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SAMUEL oircoMo.

'orornamental character. or design, andthe i illustration shows particularly the rabbet,

1'ros iso 

